Worship for the Weekday
He is Worthy
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Isaiah 45:5-7
I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know there is none besides me. I am the LORD, and there is no other. I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things.
Revelation 4:9-11 NASB
And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying, " Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created."
When we finally come face to face with God I’m pretty sure we won’t be able to look Him in the eye. One reason will be that we are so ashamed of ourselves. I don’t mean in a self-loathing, self-pitying way, rather as a result of our discovery of who and what God really is! The glory and grandeur will be so breathtakingly unbelievable that we will prostrate ourselves before him—in gratitude, in awe, in abject humility and reverence.
I’ve wondered what it would be like to stand before the throne of God. Many have wondered. One of my favorite songs is “Imagine.” The writer says he can only imagine what his heart will see. He wonders if he will fall to his knees in the presence of Christ. It’s a beautiful song and expresses, I think the wondering of all our hearts—our deepest, most ardent desire.
I imagine that upon arrival in heaven, our minds and hearts and souls will be transformed to those of Christ himself. We will understand all things and our understanding will surpass the limits of our current humanity. I’m rambling a bit this morning. I think what I’ve gleaned from these two passages is that God has already revealed himself to man. What I wonder is that how we can turn away, how we can forget His majesty, how we can NOT strive tirelessly and relentlessly to join Him at the end of time.
It’s all a puzzle to me! I spent a glorious 36 hours at the ocean last week. Much of my time I sat on the sand and gazed out at the ocean. I had no “burning bush” revelations or discoveries! I did though reconnect with the eternal source of life. I sloughed off the world of man and opened myself up to sea and sand, sun and air. I was revived and refreshed in my soul.
The tide comes in and goes out. Every day. Ever single day. No matter what. God planned it that way. He is that constancy. He is that assurance. He is the creator and master of it all. I felt very close to God as I sat in the sand and breathed in the salt air, watched the white caps, heard the crash of the waves on the beach. I felt at the same time very small and very significant. I am one of the living creatures God created! He planned me before he even called the ocean into being. He covets me. He longs for me.
My prayer today is that you take some time to experience God in nature. He will meet you there if you open your mind and your heart to his glory.
Mary
Labels: Christ, darkness, glory, God, heaven, honor, Jesus, light, nature
Because of Christ, We Can Dream Big
Hosea 2:8 KJV
And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field and with the fowls of heaven, and with the creeping things of the ground: and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely.
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Isaiah 65:25 NASB
"The wolf and the lamb will graze together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox; and dust will be the serpent's food. They will do no evil or harm in all My holy mountain," says the LORD.
These words from the Old Testament seem almost amusing to us in this day and age. First of all, we live in a time of conflict and, if you watch the evening news they’ll tell you we’re on the verge of World War III. We may be tempted to think that well, maybe the animals can all learn to get along, but not man!
Are Hosea and Isaiah talking about heaven? Are they speaking figuratively? I haven’t researched the context of both of these, but I found it interesting that this same imagery is used by different prophets. Of course, Christ is the one who allows all this to even become a remote possibility. His life and death changed the paradigm of human history forever.
Through these two prophets, God wanted to convey to us that anything is possible through Him. Not only can God change a current reality into something unimaginable in the future, we can change our own reality through faith in Him. That requires a great deal from us, doesn’t it? Especially since our accomplishing anything in this life requires surrendering the outcome to God. Honestly, I resist that surrender, even though God sent Christ – and turned his death into a victorious resurrection!
That’s where I hesitate. No, that’s where I flounder! I’m a real control freak! I don’t know why, because often my plans are smaller and narrower and “less” than they could be if I allowed room for God in the planning process. Perhaps these verses are about peace. I read them as God telling me He can turn the best laid plans of man upside down. I read them this morning to say that whatever plans I have, God will allow them to be so much for fruitful if I give Him control of the outcome.
I know the world is so big, and it seems as if man has just gone too far down the path of greed, power-grasping, selfishness and hate. I know that the whole world can seem to be tumbling toward destruction and devastation. I know my dreams and hopes seem really big and unattainable. I know I’m just one small, solitary person. I know, too, though that because of Christ the history of the world was changed.
Because of Christ, my own future and destiny were re-written as well. Through Christ, I can achieve anything that I desire, if I will give God glory. God wants us to imagine the kind of world described in Isaiah and Hosea. Because if can imagine that world, we can imagine anything!
My prayer today is that you dream big, and turn the results over God, who can bring about all things.
Mary
Labels: Christ, dream, dreams, future, history, prophets, surrender
He Has Prepared a Place for You
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Behold, the LORD has proclaimed to the end of the earth: Say to the daughter of Zion, "Behold, your salvation comes; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him." Isaiah 62:11 RSV
But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Luke 2:10-12 NASB
The shepherds are the “them” in this passage from Luke. I would want reassurance if I looked up and saw a host of angels, too! They were the first to hear the good news! The shepherds in the field were told before any others! Of course, Jesus was descended from shepherds so it somehow seems fitting. Knowing what we know now about Jesus and his life and message, it’s not surprising his life and mission on earth would begin surrounded by the least and the lowliest.
These shepherds would have been very familiar with the verse from Isaiah, too. In some accounts they left their sheep and ran – ran – to find the baby in the manger. Shepherds never left their sheep unguarded—never. But then there were the angels . . . and of course the thousands of years of waiting for the Savior promised them in Isaiah . . .
What is the message for us today? The baby has been born. He’s already lived and died and risen into heaven. So what is the message for us today? The message is exactly the same! Behold! We still have the good news, but ours is even better than what the shepherds heard that night 2000 years ago!
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. [John 14:1-3 NIV]
Behold, Christ has prepared a place for us! That is the real reason we celebrate Christmas—not only to remember the birth of God made man, but to recall the promise of the man/God on the Cross. “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” Sort of sounds like, “Do not be afraid.” Do not be afraid; do not let your hearts be troubled. The risen Christ waits in heaven for you. He has a special place for you, right next to Him.
Nothing on this earth can change that truth. Do not let your heart be troubled.
My prayer today is that you rest in the assurance that Christ has prepared a place for you in heaven. And that you will not allow your heart to be troubled while you wait for Christ’s coming.
Mary
Labels: Christ, do not be afraid, Isaiah, Luke, salvation, Savior
Fearless!
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Romans 8:38-3938.
For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39. nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Philippians 4:6-76.
Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Well . . . do I really need to add anything to these two hopeful and uplifting passages? No matter what is going on in our lives, we have the assurance that God is in it; He is with us and walks through every moment with us. That’s not always easy to remember when we are in pain, experiencing a difficult time in our lives, or have lost a loved one. To my mind, those are the times we need the reassurance of these verses the most.
I read the Philippians to mean that once we have prayed and presented our supplications to God, we need to let it go. Once we give it our Heavenly Father, we can be assured that everything will happen as he has planned out of his wisdom and grace. In a time of tragedy, mourning, struggle or fear we may not feel very close to God. Those are the times we actually need to seek Him out. That’s when we need to read and pray upon the Romans verses.
Because of Christ, we have assurance that God has our present and our future in his hands. There is nothing we can do, nothing we can experience that is stronger than God’s love. Think about that for a minute! Beyond our own daily lives and our personal future lives, He holds the world! No war or revolt, no acts of genocide, no words of hatred, no earthquake, volcano, tsunami, drought or flood is beyond the depth and breadth, the height or the power of God!
More, in spite of our own sins and the sins of the world, God values us tremendously. He jealously oversees our actions and knows our thoughts. He loves us anyway—individually as his precious ones, and as a people. We are all His Own, his beloved. Nothing will ever separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. The Cross won for us eternity in heaven. That’s why we are not to be anxious, to fret, to be afraid. No traffic light color of alert level will change our future. We’re going to heaven!
I think it helps to step back and reframe our own little lives, and all the things going on in the world from that perspective. Since we are going to heaven, all we need to really be concerned about is taking as many with us as we can, and being the best person we can possibly be. It’s a cliché, I know. But it is true, and it is the answer to how to have the best life possible—a grace-filled life of abundance and blessings. Death is not the final word. Nor is warfare, natural disasters, hatred, military power or living in fear.
Because of Christ we are fearless! We are not afraid, and so we are free to share the Good News and to live abundantly and fully into the promise sealed for us 2000 years ago on Calvary.
Rejoice! We have nothing to fear! We are God’s beloved and His precious creations. He waits for us!
My prayer today is that you fearlessly go out into the world intending to be Christ to the world. And that you live the rest of your life with reckless abandon!
Mary
Labels: Christ, death, fear, God, war
Seek the Cross
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Matthew 24:10-13 NIV
At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
Is it just me, or could this have been written last week? I imagine that anyone reading these words could apply them to their own current times. Mankind doesn’t ever really change! Two thousand years after Christ we have Christians preaching the “prosperity gospel” and wars all over the world and corruption, deceit, hatred and greed. We just don’t learn, do we?
There’s nothing wrong with working to be as prosperous as possible as long as the intention is to give that prosperity back to God and his world. I so admire Rick Warren, the author of “The Purpose Driven Life.” He started what is now Saddleback Church with his wife in their living room. It’s now a multi-million dollar a year operation. But they haven’t lost sight of their purpose.
He’s personally acquired tremendous wealth from his books. As he acquired more wealth, he began paying back to the church the salary they have paid him over the years. At this point, he and his family are now tithing 90% of their income and living on 10%. That’s a stark contrast to flying around in multi-million dollar private jets, living in a mansion and owning several very expensive cars.
Again, I’m trying not to judge these folks, but it makes me want to examine them and their lifestyles in a little more depth. Speaking of trying not to judge . . . the latest poll reported on the news last night indicates that 65% of the country disapproves of the President and his performance. I probably don’t have to tell anyone which side of that poll I fall into. My hope is that if that if that many people are not satisfied with the current administration, they will get out and vote in the next election—for anybody—just vote!
The Middle East is a hotbed as I’m typing. I’m convinced that ardent prayer is the only explanation as to why we haven’t experienced a nuclear war! Spoiled celebrities make the “news” headlines and the continent of Africa is still plagued with genocide, HIV/AIDS, famine and abject poverty.
I don’t mean to be sounding off a doom and gloom message! I’m really just ticking off the things that ran through my mind as I read this passage. The media outlets are “loving” all the turmoil and anxiety, fear and violence in the world. It makes good copy. And we buy into the hype. Even faithful Christians can get caught up in it all.
Our only hope is the Cross! We need to surround ourselves with Christians and participate in a faith community in order to stay focused on what really matters. We are not powerless. We have the might and strength of our God within us and around us who longs for us to be one who makes a difference by how we live our lives, in simple ways—large and small.
My prayer today is that you turn to the Word of God to find truth and understanding. And that you seek the Cross before all else.
Mary
Labels: Africa, Christ, Christian, Cross, famine, genocide, God, HIV/AIDS, war
C’mon, God!
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2 Corinthians 4:6-11 6. For it is the God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 7. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us. 8. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9. persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10. always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 11. For while we live we are always being given up to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
I think these verses are referring to the old adage, “God never gives us more than we can bear.” I don’t know about you, but I’ve doubted his wisdom in that regard more than once! I think sometimes his confidence in me is misplaced and mistaken! I do believe God is both wise beyond my comprehending and merciful beyond measure, but I admit I pause every so often, raise my eyes to the heavens and protest “C’mon God. Enough, already!”
I readily admit this because a friend of my agreed with my response a few days ago. She and I have had some similar challenges in our lives recently and so have shared some of the same battles of spiritual warfare. The very fact that she and I have someone else with whom we can share our sense of being overwhelmed and feeling ill-equipped for our current circumstances is reason to be hopeful and even comforted. We are part of a faith community together. We have a built-in support system because we belong to the same church.
So I wonder how does one deal with disappointment, discouragement, even anger and grief if they have no one with whom they can express their feelings. I recently was overcome with regret and disappointment regarding a particular situation. It overtook every aspect of my life. My best friend shared with me that she was concerned about the source of my uncharacteristic responses to situations and events. What was the root? What was causing me to view the world so harshly? Why was I so unsettled? Why did I feel so put upon and disgruntled?
The truth was, I felt as if God had let me down. I felt I had done my part to bring about a positive conclusion, but ultimately I doubted if I had done enough; doubted whether my efforts had been enough. Notice a pattern here? My efforts, my doing, my, my, me, me. It’s so easy to get to that point when we have a bad day, piled on top of an issue or situation we’re struggling with. Then something else comes along that throws a monkey-wrench in the whole works. It doesn’t matter the situation. We’ve all experienced those situations where we have invested time and energy, in some cases sweat and tears, only to have someone say, “Oh, I can make that right.”
What? Where was this person all along? Why wasn’t this option presented earlier? Why? Why? “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us.” Get over it! God’s plans are not always evident! Look at the life of Job? He lost everything—absolutely everything. God restored his life, gave him a new family, wealth and land and abundance that far exceeded his original life. No, he never stopped remembering his past life. Job would always miss the family he lost. That didn’t stop him from celebrating his current blessings.
I think that is the lesson. We can look back with regret, sadness, even anger. But when we do that we miss the blessings of today. Worse, we lose hope for the future. God assures us that He has a plan for us. He will take every pain, disappointment, regret, sin and event and make them into something good, powerful, reason for rejoicing. We can rejoice not because we forget, but because we remember and then realize God was in it all! And He is in our future.
"We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9. persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10. always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.”
My prayer today is that you turn over all your regrets and disappointments to the God who restores us. And that you look to the future – where Christ won for you a place in heaven.
Mary
Labels: Christ, despair, future, God, grief, heaven, Jesus, regret
Holy and Beloved
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Colossians 1:9-109. For this reason also, since the day we heard [of it], we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10. so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please [Him] in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Colossians 3:12-1312. And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13. bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.
Have you ever taken a job or agreed to lead a committee or organize a function only to realize you were in way over your head? Paul apparently never felt that way when he was bringing others to Christ! In his letter to the Colossians, he takes great care spelling out what kind of lives believers should be living. He doesn’t claim to live like this absolutely, but he certainly tried harder than most at that time or since. He was so grateful for his conversion, he dedicated literally every moment of his life and every ounce of energy working to encourage others to accept God’s amazing grace, manifested in Jesus.
Paul prays for the Colossians to “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit n every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;” This is what God expects of us as well. That’s a pretty tall order in my book! Paul is painstakingly clear on what qualities one acquires and demonstrates when one is living a life worthy of the Lord. To my mind, rather than get better, the detailed explanation of those qualities make it even harder!
I don’t have a problem ticking off each of the qualities listed in the second scripture passage. I do try to be compassionate, kind, humble gentle and patient. Of course, once I leave the house in the morning I often have trouble remembering this list! In all honesty, once I get out bed, I forget it all too often! But notice Paul uses a particular tense; he doesn’t want us to be compassionate, he wants us to be compassion. He doesn’t tell us that we are to be kind and humble, but rather we will be kindness and humility. When people look at us and how we live our lives, Paul prays they will see these qualities manifested in us.
Being a Christian is hard. God expects us to exude forgiveness, patience, gentleness, humility, kindness and compassion, just as Christ surely did. Exude means to project or display conspicuously or abundantly; radiate. Do you radiate these qualities? Have you abundantly manifested these characteristics in your life? Is your heart so full of gratitude and reverence that the world can easily identify you as “different”?
But there’s more! Not only are we to possess these qualities and to live them out each and every day, we are also required to bear fruit and increase in the knowledge of God! Now that’s really pushing the envelope, don’t you think? I guess if we spent all of our time and energy and resources toward accomplishing this kind of life and lifestyle, we wouldn’t have time for anything else! Well . . . God is a jealous God. He doesn’t want anything else in our lives! He wants us to work to bring about His kingdom on earth. And even tells us how. We just need to figure out how to be a little less human and a little more divine. No small feat.
This truth is why it’s so important to belong to a small group or a community of believers. We all need support, encouragement, direction and correction. Who better to walk with us than another believer striving to bear fruit and increase in the knowledge of God? Who are your friends? Who do you socialize with? Who do you work with? That’s where we start to do God’s work, both by influence and direct action. We attempt to live a worthy life so that others will see how they can gain access to the kingdom. By exhibiting all the qualities we’ve discussed, we leave the door open from someone to ask us, what is the source of our strength and joy? How do we do it? How can we in light of everything bad in the world?
Our answer? We are each chosen by God, holy and beloved, made in his image. He loves us so much he sent Jesus to die on the Cross. That’s we need to say. That opens the door. The Holy Spirit will determine whether or not your questioner enters.
My prayer today is that you remember you are holy and beloved. And that you are conspicuously kind, gentle, humble, patient and compassionate with yourself and everyone you meet.
Mary
Labels: Christ, compassion, gentleness, God, Holy Spirit, humility, Jesus, kindness, patience
Coming in Clouds With Great Power
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Mark 8:4-12, 17-19, 22-30
4. "Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign when these things are all to be accomplished?" 5. And Jesus began to say to them, "Take heed that no one leads you astray. 6. Many will come in my name, saying, `I am he!' and they will lead many astray. 7. And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is not yet. 8. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places, there will be famines; this is but the beginning of the birth-pangs. 9. "But take heed to yourselves; for they will deliver you up to councils; and you will be beaten in synagogues; and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear testimony before them. 10. And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. 11. And when they bring you to trial and deliver you up, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say; but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. 12. And brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; 17. And alas for those who are with child and for those who give suck in those days! 18. Pray that it may not happen in winter. 19. For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will be. 22. False Christs and false prophets will arise and show signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. 23. But take heed; I have told you all things beforehand. 24. "But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25. and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26. And then they will see the Son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27. And then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. 28. "From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 30. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away before all these things take place.
I know this is long. I just find this text almost poetic. Don’t these words paint a picture for you? There is a song I’ve really come to like that has a chorus based on these verses – the chorus is about Christ coming, riding on the clouds. Verse 30 has puzzled me in the past, because it would seem that Jesus is referring to the current generation which was alive during the time he is speaking. My bible notes indicate this reference is to the “current” faithlessness of the people. That’s a rather different perspective, I think. In that context, we’re still part of the current generation.
These verses have also been misused and misunderstood for a long time. When you read these verses and then think about what is going on in the world, it would be a logical next step to believe that the end is imminent! Wars, famines, families turning against each other – children being kidnapped and trained to kill, even their own families if ordered to. In Africa, rebels attack villages and mutilate pregnant women, rape and murder young girls. Our rainforests have been razed; our world is being stripped of its beauty and natural resources in the name of progress.
The evening news sounds very much like Chapter 8 of Mark, doesn’t it? We even have many false prophets, not just in our country, but all over the world. They are convincing citizens (or attempting to) that violence is justified; murder is alright in the context of war, hatred is necessary to motivate those who commit acts of violence. I could apply all of these prophecies to our current U.S. government, but I won’t. I’ll let you draw your own parallels!
So . . . is the end of the world about to happen? Will today be the day? How about tomorrow? I certainly have no idea! If it is near, Christ instructs us in verse 10,
And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. Whether the end is today or in a thousand years, we must be ready. Our work as Christians is to preach the Good News to those who have not heard it, to those who have forgotten it, to those who have rejected it. We don’t have the luxury of keeping the Word to ourselves and saving only our own souls. Part of our commission is to save as many others as possible.
Rick Warren, author of
The Purpose Driven Life, shares a story in his book about when his father was on his deathbed. Toward the end he wasn’t coherent, but kept muttering, “. . . one more soul for Jesus. . .” over and over. Even on his deathbed, Warren’s dad was living out his identity as a Christian! That is what God expects of
us, too. We are to live every moment of our lives as if it was the last moment of our lives. We are to make our last act on this earth one that will bring one more soul to Jesus.
Don’t spend any time shaking your head and clucking your tongue, muttering that surely we are in the end times! Rather, follow Christ’s instruction:
the gospel must first be preached to all nations, even unto your deathbed.
My prayer today is that you do everything you can to hasten the end of days. And that you look up! Maybe you’ll see Christ coming in clouds with great power.
Mary
Labels: Christ, commission, death, false prophets, violence, war
Come Thirsty
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John 4:25-30-39-42
25. The woman said to him, "I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ); when he comes, he will show us all things." 26. Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am he." 27. Just then his disciples came. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but none said, "What do you wish?" or, "Why are you talking with her?" 28. So the woman left her water jar, and went away into the city, and said to the people, 29. "Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?" 30. They went out of the city and were coming to him. 39. Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me all that I ever did." 40. So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. 41. And many more believed because of his word. 42. They said to the woman, "It is no longer because of your words that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world."
Immediately preceding these verses is the story of the Woman at the Well. She is one of the New Testament figures to whom I most relate. Not that I have had “many husbands” as we learn she has. I relate to her because of her thirst. She represents, for me, that part of each of us that longs for something more than what this world can offer us. She needed hope. She needed to be looked upon as a person of value. She needed Christ! She is each of us.
The story tells us that it was noon or mid-afternoon when the woman went to the well in the center of town for water. Most often women or older children went to the well early in the morning before it was too hot, and in order to have water for cooking and cleaning for the day. This woman was either shunned by the other women or was ashamed and wanted to avoid the sneers and sarcastic asides of the other women and so avoided them.
Of course we know that it was no coincidence that Jesus chose to rest at that particular well. It wasn’t uncommon for the disciples to play a “caretaking” role on Christ’s behalf. They wanted to serve him and do whatever they could to protect and sustain him, so they went to town to buy food while he rested at that well. The woman was so overcome with excitement and astonishment, she forgot why she had even come to that well – or no longer cared. Though she was an outcast, she spoke to everyone she met. She didn’t care what the others said or thought—she couldn’t keep this to herself! It had to be shared!
The surprising thing is that the others believed her. Even though she was a woman; even though she was an outcast; even though she had no right to look them in the eye, they believed her! I imagine they thought she must be speaking the truth since she was defying all convention and disregarding her low status to address them. I’m sure they noticed the change in her face and in her eyes, as well. The sullen, gray complexion and dull, dark eyes were surely to a smooth, warm skin tone and dancing, sparkling eyes! She must have truly met the Messiah! Nothing else could explain the profound transformation.
What about us? We’ve drunk deeply from that well. Do we glow? Do our eyes dance and sparkle when we share the Good News? Are we truly new creatures in Christ? All too often we keep silent so as not to offend or annoy others. Political correctness seems to be the order of the day in the U.S. Be careful not to hurt anyone’s feelings by sharing your religious beliefs. We don’t want to take the chance that someone will think we’re a “Jesus freak” or wacky, or out of touch with “reality.” The message Christ delivered is for everyone. If we truly live a Christ-like life, we couldn’t possibly offend anyone. Nothing we say about Jesus and His message is counter to acceptance, peace, cooperation, understanding or compassion. Jesus stands for hope! Jesus is the incarnation of God’s grace.
I believe that any God big enough to send his son/himself to earth to deliver a message so profound and so radical is big enough to love and accept all faiths based on the principles Christ represents. Some faith systems are much older than Christianity. I think Christ is for those of us who need him. Don’t forget, Christ is God! I don’t think it can be wrong for those of other faiths to worship God based on their history, ethnicity and heritage. We all have the same goal: heaven. Call me a heretic, but I think God can be manifested in many different ways. We all hunger and thirst for Him. I have found Him in the person of Christ. That well is never empty. No matter how thirsty I am, my thirst is quenched each time I read His word and live out His teachings to the best of my ability.
My prayer today is that you come thirsty to the well of living water. And that you offer a cool drink to everyone you meet.
Mary
Labels: belief, Christ, faith, God, Messiah woman
Behold! He is Coming Soon!
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Revelation 22:12-14
Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense, to repay every one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.
Colossians 3:1,2 MSG
So if you're serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides.
Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ--that's where the action is.
See things from his perspective.
I recently happened upon an earlier post where I discussed the word “behold.” Basically it means, “Hey, pay attention! I’m about to say something very important!” And if you read the sentence immediately following it in the passage from Revelation, you’ll see that John was sharing some wonderful news! As a matter of fact, this passage was part of a sermon I delivered at a nursing home recently as part of my Lay Speaking Ministry. The topic of the sermon was hope and being a blessing to others.
For some reason I find tremendous comfort and even get a little excited when I read the first line of the Revelation passage, “Behold, I am coming soon.” That declaration brings me immediately to the Colossians passage where we’re instructed, “Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is.”
So, we are to wake up, look up, get ready, be prepared and see things from the perspective of the Risen Christ. That’s a much different perspective than the one we’ll be hearing on the evening news! It’s not the frame of reference from which we generally see the world. But we have good news! We have hope! We have a promise! And it’s a promise from God – the Alpha and the Omega – the God of Genesis, who was already in existence when he decided to make Earth and the universe and us.
His power is above all others. His promises never fail – have you read the story of Exodus? Have you read the Old Testament? After 2,000 years of defying and disobeying God, He still sent us a Savior! Behold! We must be ready when Christ comes again so we must pursue the things over which Christ presides. He doesn’t preside over war, murder, hate, anger or fear. He is the Prince of Peace, the Holy One of God, Deliverer, Bread of Life and Chief Cornerstone. Run that in tomorrow’s news cycle!
Behold! He is coming soon!
My prayer today is that you will see things from Christ’s perspective. And that you will be ready when He comes—for behold! Today could be the day!
Mary
Labels: Christ, Colossians, God, Revelation, second coming
Lacking in Nothing
John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.
James 1:3-4For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
These verses in James don’t suggest that we will be lacking in nothing simply because our faith is steadfast and strong. We may lose a job, have a house burn to the ground, a friend or relative could become gravely ill or even die. James is not talking about a lacking in this world. He’s talking about lacking in nothing because of Christ. He's assuring that Christ is our sufficiency, in this world and in the next.
James and John both encourage us not to fret and become discouraged because of our trials and tribulations in this life. Neither of them implies that it’s not normal and acceptable to be sad, to feel pressured, even sometimes a bit depressed. What they are reminding us though, is that everything in this world will pass away and perfection in Christ will be realized in heaven.
This verse from John is one of my “hallmark” verses, one that scrolls at the top of the pages on the website. Christ has overcome the world! Any day I forget that, is a day I haven’t lived into who I am and who God wants me to be. Any day I become distracted by the things of this world, the trials, the annoyances, the really difficult situations, that’s a day I wasted.
There is nothing in my life to complain about. I’ve got it much easier than many others I know personally and vicariously through others and the media. Don’t get me wrong, my family and I have struggles. We’re faced with tough situations on a daily basis, individually and as a family. So if I have nothing to complain about, who am I to lecture?
I am merely one who has been saved by God’s grace, through the gift of Jesus Christ. I have lived for many years believing the words of scripture in my head and wanting desperately to accept them with my heart. Many times I felt God working in me, peeling away, burning off and scraping away everything in me that was not of his making or liking. Countless times I have assured myself, “OK, now I’m done.” I repeatedly convinced myself that I was now going to have a faith life that was pretty routine and easy to maintain and sustain.
That’s where the trap is: believing we are “good enough” now. I often wonder if the chicken and the egg analogy applies to life. We begin to rely upon our own strength and wisdom, something difficult happens, we turn to God, either asking why or begging forgiveness. We draw closer and closer to Him as we turn to Him more and more ardently and intentionally. Our lives seem to improve and we have a stronger faith life. Then we get comfortable again and the cycle starts all over. I sit here today proclaiming I don’t know anything except Christ Jesus, died, buried and risen on the third day. I take courage each day, resting in the assurance that He has overcome the world!
My prayer today is that you confess Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior every single day of your life. And that you let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Mary.
Labels: Christ, faith, James, John, steadfast, struggles, trials
